# NTSB ATL03LA054: Piper PA-28R, N7635J, Enterprise, AL, March 16, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 16, 2003, 17:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Enterprise, AL - Coordinates: 31.299722, -85.884719 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2997&lon=-85.8847&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FSDO 09 Birmingham Alabama - NTSB case key (mKey): 56669 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA054 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56669/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA054 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to oil starvation resulting from a crack in the propeller governor external oil line. A factor was the soft terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause) - propeller system/accessories,governor (cause) - lubricating system,oil line - cracked (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the student pilot, while simulating an emergency descent, there was a surge in engine rpm and a significant drop in engine oil pressure. The CFI checked the engine oil pressure and within seconds the engine seized, and by this time the windshield was covered with oil. The certified flight instructor (CFI) diverted to an open wheat field three miles southwest of Enterprise Municipal Airport. During the emergency landing, the airplane touched down but became difficult to control after rollout and the airplane spun 120 degrees to the right, colliding with the terrain. Examination of the aircraft found that the propeller assembly was bent, all three landing gear had collapsed and both wings were damaged in the vicinity of the collapsed landing gear. There was also damage to the fuselage just aft of the baggage compartment. Examination of the engine revealed that there was a crack in the propeller governor external oil line located at the first 90-degree bend radius aft the forward B-nut. A review of the aircraft maintenance log disclosed that the oil line was installed about 30 hours before the accident. ## Factual narrative On March 16, 2003, at 1715 central standard time, a Piper PA-28R, N7635J, registered to and operated by Double Bridges Aviation LLC, collided with the ground during an emergency landing three miles southwest of Enterprise Municipal Airport, Enterprise Alabama. The instructional flight was operated under the provision of Title 14 Part 91. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The certified flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The flight departed Enterprise Municipal Airport, Enterprise Alabama on March 16, 2003, at 1545. According to the student pilot, while simulating an emergency descent, there was a surge in engine rpm and a significant drop in engine oil pressure. The CFI checked the engine oil pressure and within seconds the engine seized, and by this time the windshield was covered with oil. The CFI diverted to an open wheat field three miles southwest of Enterprise Municipal Airport. During the emergency landing, the airplane touched down but became difficult to control after rollout and the airplane spun 120 degress to the right, colliding with the terrain. Examination of aircraft found that the propeller assembly was bent, all three landing gear had collapsed and both wings were damaged in the vicinity of the collapsed landing gear. There was also damage to the fuselage just aft of the baggage compartment. Examination of the engine revealed that there was a crack in the propeller governor external oil line located at the first 90-degree bend radius aft the forward B-nut. A review of the aircraft maintenance log disclosed that the oil line was installed about 30 hours before the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7635J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7635J), registered now, S/N 28R-31032, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-31032 - Airframe hours: 8000 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-BIE 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Double Bridges Aviation, LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 30, 2003, 22 hours before - Departed: KEDM, Enterprise, AL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 61; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 4,270 total, 120 in this make and model, 3,994 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 31; injuries: none; military, commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 6, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 450 total, 7 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg - Observed at: DHN ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20030316003639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030316003639A), Mar 16, 2003: Piper PA28R180, Enterprise, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilots stated that shortly after beginning a maneuver (practicing a steep spiral) over a selected site, they noticed that the prop RPM had gone from the… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.